23.07.2026 23:10
In Leeds, England, a female hedgehog that was completely covered in blue and yellow oil paint—the colors of the team supported by football hooligans—lost her battle for life after suffering severe pain. Unable to use her defense mechanism because her spines were glued together by the paint and struggling to breathe due to chemical fumes, the unfortunate animal's death sparked widespread anger and sorrow in the city.
A heart-wrenching case of animal abuse occurred in the city of Leeds, England. A female hedgehog named "Honey," covered in blue and yellow oil paint—the colors of Leeds United football club—by football fans, died despite all efforts by rescue teams.
In the city of Leeds, located in western England, an unfortunate hedgehog targeted by hooligans tragically died due to the torture it endured. Discovered in a garden on July 13, the female hedgehog named "Honey" was found covered in thick, oil-based blue and yellow paint.
SPINES STUCK TOGETHER, DIFFICULTY BREATHING
Rescue teams in the area took Honey into care and determined that she was in great pain due to the heavy paint on her body. It was found that because her spines were stuck together by the oil paint, she could not use her defense mechanism to curl into a ball, and she also had severe difficulty breathing due to the paint fumes and chemical vapors.
Volunteers at the Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue Center raced against time to keep Honey alive. Paint was carefully cleaned from each quill of the tiny animal, and pain relief treatment was administered to alleviate her suffering. However, due to intense stress and chemical damage, Honey's condition worsened, and she could not be saved despite all interventions.
"I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN DO THIS TO A LIVING CREATURE"
Diane Cook, a 51-year-old shelter operator, spoke out following Honey's death, reacting to the brutality. Expressing her deep sorrow, Cook said, "Saying I am devastated is an understatement. I cannot comprehend how some people can inflict such pain on any living being; it is beyond my understanding."
Cook emphasized that they are in contact with security forces to ensure the culprits do not go unpunished, and she stated that some details about the incident are being kept confidential for now to allow the legal process to proceed smoothly.
POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION
Following this callous act, the West Yorkshire Police Wildlife and Rural Crime Team took action. Teams launched a wide-ranging investigation to identify and apprehend the football hooligans who inflicted this torture on the unfortunate hedgehog.